This is the second phase of a multi phase project to improve sagebrush habitat on the western foothills of the Oquirrh Mountains. Healthy sagebrush ecosystems should consist of a diverse array of plants and support a wide variety of wildlife species. However, sagebrush habitat on the western foothills of the Oquirrh Mountains is becoming degraded due to juniper encroachment. Where junipers dominate they out compete understory species for light, moisture, and nutrients eventually resulting in nearly complete removal of the understory. Without understory vegetation the native seed bank is depleted and the site becomes susceptible to soil erosion and invasion by cheatgrass. Excessive fuel buildup can eventually lead to catastrophic wildfire which may threaten private property and further degrade the ecosystem by promoting the growth and expansion of cheatgrass. Once established, cheatgrass becomes a major obstacle preventing the recolonization and growth of native perennial vegetation. In order to curb this process of degradation it is essential that action be taken. Degraded sagebrush habitat can be improved by removing junipers and reseeding with perennial species. This proactive approach reduces the risk of catastrophic wildfire and possible cheatgrass encroachment by decreasing fuel loads and replenishing the seedbank with desirable species. The Salt Lake Field Office of the BLM will treat the encroaching juniper to decrease the risk of high severity wildfire, restore ecosystem function, and improve wildlife habitat. The bullhog contract cost for the BLM partnership is Fuels Management funding. 1, 561 acres were treated in phase 1 and multiple non-designated routes were obliterated and reseeded to discourage cross country OHV use.

Decrease fuel loading and improve sagebrush habitat by removing up to 80% of existing juniper through mastication; avoid old-growth and leave a mosaic pattern for wildlife cover. Additional phases will focus on decreasing cheatgrass and improving the perennial understory within existing sagebrush stands.

This project focuses on juniper removal as a means to maintain healthy sagebrush habitat. Sagebrush habitat is at risk of being lost due to excessive juniper, subsequent wildfire, and high potential for cheatgrass invasion. High severity wildfire could lead to an Increase in cheatgrass and loss of perennial native species. This project will decrease the risk of high severity wildfire by reducing fuel loading and promoting the growth of perennial understory species which are critical to maintaining ecosystem resilience.

Stockton Bullhog Phase II – Relation to Management Plans The proposed action and alternatives are consistent with federal, state and local laws, regulations, and plans to the maximum extent possible. 1)Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Statewide Management Plan for Mule deer. Section IV Statewide management goals and objectives. This plan will address Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on a minimum of 500,000 acres of crucial range by 2013 (p11-12). Strategy C. Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve mule deer habitat with emphasis on drought or fire damaged sagebrush winter ranges, ranges that are being taken over by invasive annual grass species, and ranges being diminished by encroachment of conifers into sagebrush or aspen habitats. Strategy f. Encourage land managers to manage portions of pinion-juniper woodlands and aspen/conifer forests in early successional stages. 2)Oquirrh-Stansbury Deer Herd Management Plan, Deer Herd Unit # 18 (2006) - Habitat -. Encroachment by juniper trees and the resultant loss of forage production, diversity and quality is very widespread. Habitat Management Strategies; Continue to restore and improve sagebrush steppe habitats critical to deer according to DWR’s Habitat Initiative, Cooperate with federal land management agencies and private landowners in carrying out habitat improvements such as reseedings, controlled burns, [mechanical juniper removal], and water developments on public lands. 3)The Utah Smoke Management Plan (1999, 2006 revision). By using mechanical mastication this plan will accomplish Goal #5, Use of alternative methods to burning for disposing of or reducing the amount of wildland fuels on lands in the State (p3). 4)State of Utah Hazard Mitigation Plan (March 2011) this plan accomplishes statewide goals including 1) Protection of natural resources and the environment, when considering mitigation measures and 2) Minimize the risk of wildfire (p12). http://publicsafety.utah.gov/emergencymanagement/documents/IntroductionMarch2011.pdf 5)The Fire Management Planning (FMP) for the Salt Lake District Office (SLDO) 1998 EA UT-020-1998-0008 as amended by the interim implementation guidance (FMP 2004). This project is within the Fire Management Units B06 28 and A10 10. Within this Unit vegetation management would include a wide variety of management activities including mechanical manipulation, seeding to less flammable and more desirable species, fuel break establishment, and other strategies which will improve the fire regime condition class. 6)BLM Land Management Plan, Pony Express-EIS (1988) proposed decision 12 (p 31), Objectives - To improve crucial habitats by implementing vegetation treatments such as prescribed fire, seeding, and other mechanical manipulations.

2 PMArchaeology, Cultural clearance was completed for this phase in 2010., Nov 23 2011 / 6 NEPA, NEPA was completed for this project in March 2011., Nov 23 2011

Use mechanical shredding (bullhog) to decrease juniper. Remove up to 80% of existing juniper through mastication; avoid old-growth and leave a mosaic pattern.

Three, 3-spoke monitoring plots were established and read within the project area during summer 2011. Vegetation and ground cover data were collected using the line-point intercept method and nested frequency quadrats. Photos were also taken. Data will be collected 1, 3, and 5 years post treatment.

This project falls within the Mercur Canyon-West Ophir allotment. It is an active cattle and sheep allotment. The allotment is about 42,500 acres with the majority of grazing occuring outside the proposed treatment area. We anticipate the understory responding well to the tree removal and do not foresee the need to seed the project. Because no seeding will occur there will be no alteration to the current grazing management. This project will be maintained over time by hand thinning juniper that resprout after the initial treatment. Weeds will be monitored and treated as necessary.

05/22/2012

07/23/2012

2013

868 acres of juniper were masticated using 3 wheeled tractors with Fecon mulching heads. All pinyon pine were left intact. Juniper >20" diameter at ground level were also left as well as trees along corridors and trees with wildlife nests. Where there were no trees that met the criteria of "leave" trees, 4-6 of the larger trees were left per acre. A small bulldozer was used to reclaim/rip approximately 20 miles of illegal user created routes. Reclaimed routes were broadcast seeded with a UTV followed by a light harrow. The harrow work will be completed the first week of December 2012.

Boss Reclamation out of New Mexico was awarded the contract for $195/ac. They began work on May 5th and completed the mulching on July 23rd. Originally, 1,068 acres were planned for treatment but only 868 were actually treated due to slope limitations, rocks, and wildlife areas. Because the project started in the spring we did bird surveys prior to equipment moving into an area. Once and area was cleared, treatment was allowed to move forward. Areas with high bird activity/density were flagged off and avoided. Deep drainages were not treated but left as wildlife corridors. As part of Stockton Bullhog Phase 1 (#1929), illegal user created routes were to be ripped and reseeded. This process did not occur until completion of Phase 2. Ripping occurred in September followed by seeding in October.

This area will be managed as sagebrush habitat in the long term. Follow up treatments will occur periodically to remove juniper regrowth. Pinyon pine is significant within certain areas within the treatment polygons. Pinyon will not be removed unless it compromised the project objectives of minimizing crown fire potential and maintaining a healthy, diverse, perennial understroy. Changes in grazing management are not necessary as there are no developed water sources within the treatment area and livestock impacts are minimal. OHV use will be monitored. Closure of non-designated routes will help deter unauthorized use.